“Riveting, fearless, and vividly original” (Emily St. John Mandel, New York Times bestselling author), this instant New York Times bestseller explores the tension that unfurls when two young Black women meet against the starkly white backdrop of New York City book publishing.
Twenty-six-year-old editorial assistant Nella Rogers is tired of being the only Black employee at Wagner Books. Fed up with the isolation and microaggressions, she’s thrilled when Harlem-born and bred Hazel starts working in the cubicle beside hers. They’ve only just started comparing natural hair care regimens, though, when a string of uncomfortable events elevates Hazel to Office Darling, and Nella is left in the dust.
Then the notes begin to appear on Nella’s desk: LEAVE WAGNER. NOW.
It’s hard to believe Hazel is behind these hostile messages. But as Nella starts to spiral and obsess over the sinister forces at play, she soon realizes that there’s a lot more at stake than just her career. Having joined Wagner Books to honor the legacy of Burning Heart, a novel written and edited by two Black women, she had thought that this animosity was a relic of the past. Is Nella ready to take on the fight of a new generation?
BIO
Zakiya Dalila Harris received her MFA in creative writing from The New School. Her debut novel, The Other Black Girl, was an instant New York Times bestseller. Her essays and book reviews have appeared in Cosmopolitan, The Guardian, The New York Times, The Rumpus, and elsewhere. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband.
REVIEWS
“Filled with twists both unsettling and unexpected . . . such a timely read.” -- Time
“A thrilling, edgier Devil Wears Prada that explores privilege and racism.” -- Washington Post
“A sly satire and thriller rolled into one.” -- BBC
“Riveting, fearless, and vividly original. This is an exciting debut.” -- Emily St. John Mangel, New York Times bestselling author of The Glass Hotel
“A psychological thriller for the modern-day working girl . . . filled with suspenseful twists and turns.” -- PopSugar
“A dazzling, darkly humorous story…the novel overflows with witty dialogue and skillfully drawn characters, its biggest strength lies in its penetrating critique of gatekeeping in the publishing industry and the deleterious effects it can have on Black editors. This insightful, spellbinding book packs a heavy punch.” -- Publishers Weekly (starred)
“Harris’ genre-bending evisceration of workplace privilege is set to become the debut of the summer.” -- Entertainment Weekly
[H] Atria Books / June 01, 2021
1.25" H x 9.3" L x 6.3" W (1.25 lbs) 368 pages
[P] Atria Books / June 07, 2022
1.0" H x 8.1" L x 5.3" W (0.65 lbs) 368 pages